Marshfield rape accuser was among group who accused man in March

Tuesday

Aug 26, 2008 at 12:01 AMAug 26, 2008 at 5:53 PM

The 13-year-old girl who says she was raped by a Marshfield Fair worker last week was among several people who accused a Brazilian man of soliciting sex from young girls in downtown Marshfield in March.

Sydney Schwartz

The 13-year-old girl who says she was raped by a Marshfield Fair worker last week was among several people who accused a Brazilian man of soliciting sex from young girls in downtown Marshfield in March.

Police said Miranda had been soliciting sex from 12- and 13-year-old girls for nearly a year, offering them cash, cigarettes and alcohol for sexual favors. He would ask the girls to undress, let him fondle them or perform sex acts, promising them anywhere from $50 to $1,000.

Most of the charges against Miranda were dropped after his attorney, Scott Bradley, argued that there was no evidence that any sexual acts actually occurred. The alleged victim denied there was any touching, he said.

Friends said at least one girl received cash, cigarettes and bottles of flavored vodka and Mike’s Hard Lemonade in exchange for sexual favors, according to the police report. But the girls told police that they refused the offers.

“There was never any kind of rape,” Bradley said. “Those sexual assault charges should have never been taken out.

“These kids ... decided to make things up when they were telling the police. You can’t charge a case on quadruple hearsay by a bunch of schoolkids.”

Judge Brownell dismissed two counts of rape, five counts of contributing to the delinquency of a child, six counts of enticing a child, two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and one count of sexual conduct for a fee.

Brownell rejected the motion to dismiss the remaining five counts of sexual conduct for a fee.

Last week, two Marshfield girls, ages 13 and 14, told police that a Marshfield Fair carnival worker raped and assaulted them at the Marshfield home of one of the girls. The girls later changed their stories.

The 14-year-old girl now says she had sex with a carnival worker but that he did not rape her or have sex with her friend. The 13-year-old girl now says he raped her but did not bite or chase her, as she first told police.

The carnival worker, Jeffrey D. Witham, 19, was released on personal recognizance on Friday, after prosecutors dropped four of the eight charges against him.

Miranda pleaded innocent to the various child-sex charges in March. He is still being held in jail for immigration reasons. He is due back in court Thursday.

Bradley said Miranda has agreed to be sent home to Brazil as soon as the case has been tried.

“When this is all said and done, I have no doubt that everything will be dismissed and Geraldo will be vindicated,” Bradley said.